The family of a 22-year-old man who was found in the Netherlands after a lengthy search has revealed his body was discovered in the North Sea almost two months before he was identified.

Liam Graham, from Medway, was last seen walking away from a car accident in a video taken in the early hours of Saturday, July 22, on Stoke Road, between Lower Stoke and Hoo.

Since Liam went missing, his family and friends spent hours scouring the area where he was last seen. The search spanned almost four months with seemingly no trace of him.

On Saturday, October 7, a wallet belonging to Liam was found on farmland, and through the power of social media, people who did not even know Liam volunteered to search ditches and fields, while a plane was used to fly repeatedly over the wide expanse of land.

On November 8, Kent Police confirmed a body recovered in The Netherlands was identified as belonging to Liam.

Today it has been revealed his body was discovered almost two months ago.

In a post on the social media page set up to help find her son, Liam’s mum Joanna Graham confirmed that Liam was found by the Dutch authorities on Friday, September 15, around two months after his car accident.

She revealed he was found in the water and also thanked the “amazing group” for their messages, comments, and donations.

In a statement that was issued through police Liam’s family said: “Thank you to everyone who has shown us so much support and help throughout the agonising days while Liam was missing.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated to the GoFundMe page which was set up as a reward for information, but is sadly now being used to bring our Liam home and give him the most beautiful send-off that he deserves.

“We cannot put into words the utter heartache that as a family we are going through daily, following the devastating news of our Liam’s passing.

“Liam was the kindest, most caring and loving young man, who was loved very much in return.

“He was a wonderful son, brother and loving uncle whose memory lives on with us all. We will miss you very much LeeLees.”

A spokesman for Kent Police confirmed that on Monday, November 6, they were contacted by the Dutch authorities who stated they had recovered the body of a man. The following day, it was confirmed the body was that of Mr Graham.

Just a few days later, the fundraiser set up to help find Liam began raising money to bring his body home instead.

Detective Inspector Paul Fewtrell said: “I have been in touch with the Dutch authorities and they have confirmed that Liam’s remains were found in the North Sea.

“We are continuing to work with the authorities in Rotterdam, the British Consulate at The Hague and the coroner’s office, to fully understand the circumstances and to make arrangements for repatriation back to the UK.

“The family is being supported and kept fully updated by specialist officers from Kent Police.”

To share your condolences with Liam’s family or to donate to their GoFundMe page visit the Search For Liam Facebook page.